Refillable cartridge fuse



March 4, 1924.

E. G. APPLETON REFILLABLE CARTRIDGE FUSE Original Filed May 22, 1920 Patented Mar. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICZE.

ERNEST G. APPLE'ION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO FUSE 0F CHICAGO,'ILLINOIS A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

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REI'ILLABLE CARTRIDGE FUSE.

Application filed May 22, 1920, Serial No. 383,340. Renewed August 1, 1928.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST G. ArrLEToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Ill1nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refillable Cartridge Fuses, of which the following is a specifica tion.

This invention relates tocartridge fuses for the protection of electric circuits and articularly relates to the type generally 'nown as refillable fuses in Which the fusible element or link may be readily renewed by the user when disruptedin service.

The objects of the invention are to improve the construction of fuses of this character; to provide a fuse in which the, molten metal produced from the fusion of the link is prevented from lodging among the removable parts and interfering with their opera-f tion in renewing the fuse; to procure a constant position of the fusible element in the casing, and to produce a fuse which is very durable, simple and convenient to re- The objects thus stated are attained by a novelconstruction of the parts of the end members which provide openings sufficient only to receive the fuse element, which are readily accessible for renewing the fuse element, which prevent twisting of the latter element in assembling the end member parts, and which provide a symmetrical arrangement of the end member parts'permitting reversible positions in attaching the fuse link.

These and other advantages will be apparent in the following description and accompanying drawings of an embodiment of the invention.-

Fig. 1 isa longitudinal sectional view of an assembled fuse. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of one of the fixed heads or end members. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dissembled parts of a fuse, showing the casing in section.

The fuse comprises. a tubular casing 1, constructed of fibre or other insulating material, having its ends partially closed by metallic heads 2 fixed thereon; metallic plates or segmental disks 3 which overlie and close the openings in the heads except for alternative slits in each case; a fuse link 4 extending through the casing with its ends passing out through the slits in the heads;

.end of the casing,

diaphragm or web portion 52 for partially,

closing the end of the casing; The webs extend transversely of the annular portions 2, and have rectangular openings at their centers, the like sides of which in each head lie in the same longitudinal plane. Two of the opposite sides in each opening are of the same approximate length as the width of the fuse link, the other sides having semicircular indents 7 therein.

The segmental disks 3 which are arranged to rest upon the webs 2 and overlie the openings therein are made of such size and form that their chord edges, in cooperation with either of the two straight edges of the openings in the webs, form narrow slits of the remaining uncovered portions of the openings approximately as wide as the thickness of the fuse link. The slits in the two heads are parallel so that the ends of the fuse link may be passed therethrough without twisting, and may be bent over upon the outer surfaces, of the disks. The bent over ends of the fuse link thus serve to hold the disks in place until the parts are clamped in position by the caps 5. The disks may be provided with a pair of projections or bosses 8 arranged to engage with the indents- 7 in the opposed sides of the web openings to revent rotation or displacement of the dlSkS with reference to the heads and the consequent distortion of the fuse link.

The caps 5 are of ordinary construction and are arranged to be externally threaded upon the heads 2, the annular portions 2* of the heads being reduced in diameter at their outer ends for that purpose. \Vhen the ends of the fuse link have been bent over upon the outer surfaces of the disks and the end caps tightened upon the heads 2, the parts will have been firmly clamped together with Though other means are tained between the the ends of the fusible member in direct electrical contact with the disks and caps.

it will be apparent in a fuse constructed in accordance with my invention that the heads are permanently fixed in their position on the casing and not liable to alteration in refilling the fuse nor to be loosened or blown ofi with the fusion of the link; that positive constant electrical contact is mainfuse link and the clamping parts; that molten metal is not liable to escape from the fusion chamber in the easing; and that by the arrangement provided the formation of the rectangular openin in the head and its relation to the segmental disk, the fuse link may be installed on either side of the opening by reversing the position of the disk, thus simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the fuse, and facilitating the renewal of fuse links.

It will he understood that the invention is not limited to the construction herein shown, as various modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A. reiiliable cartridge fuse having, in combination, a metallic tubular head, a transverse web carried within said head having a rectangular opening therein, and a segmental disk overlying said web and. adapted to close the opening therein except for a slit formed selectively between said disk and one of the sides of said opening.

2. In a refillable cartridge fuse,-a casing, a metallic sleeve threaded on said casing, an integral transverse web formed within said sleeve having an opening therein with a pluralit of straight sides, a se ental disk over ying said web in a plum ity of selective positions, the chord side of said disk and one selectively of the straight sides of said opening defining a slit between their opposing edges adjacent the center axis of said casing, a fuse element assin said slit and havin its end over ying said disk, and means w erewith to clam said fuse element to said disk and said isk to said web.

3. In a refillable cartridge fuse, in combination, a tubular metallic end member, an

inwardly formed integral cross web carried through within said end member having a rectangular opening centrally positione therein with lateral indents in two opposite sides, a plate overlying said web having integral projections adapted to engage said indents and prevent rotation of said plate, said plate having a straight side cooperating selectively with one of the straight sides of said opening to form a narrow slit, a fuse element passing through said slit and havin its end portion overlying said plate, and means engaging said tubular end member in electrical contact adapted to clamp said fuse member to said disk abutting said web.

e'r. In a refillable cartridge fuse, in combination, a casing, a tubular metallic memuer threaded on the end of said casing, an. integral cross web formed within said end member having a central rectangular opening therein with a lateral indent at the center of each of two opposite sides, a segmental disk overlying said web having pro ections located on its diameter parallel to its chord side and adapted to engage said indents, the chord side of said segmental disk cooperating selectively with either of the straight sides of said opening to define a narrow slit between their edges in the otherwise closed opening, a fuse element passing through said slit and having its end portion overlying said disk, and means for securing said fuse element in position with electrical connection to said tubular member.

5. In a refillable cartridge fuse having a metallic end member, the combination of a cross web within said member having a central opening in said web with two parallel straight sides of equal length the connecting side's being indented midway between the parallel sides, and a plate overlying said web having projections therein adapted to engage said indents and having a straight edge equally distant from said projections adapted to define, with either selectively of the straight sides of said openin a slit between their ed es through whic to passe fuse element, t e said opening being otherwise closed by said plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ERNEST G. APPLETON. 

